Updated: Police alerted to fourth location in theft case

Price police are on the trail of a crook who is suspected of breaking into three Price businesses and making an attempt on a fourth early Wednesday morning.

According to Price City Police Capt. Bill Barnes, the suspect attacked the locking mechanism at the King Coal Theater, UPS Store, El Salto restaurant and the China Buffet. For an unknown reason, the suspect did not gain entrance to the UPS location, but was able to steal an undisclosed amount of cash from the other three businesses.

"This guy is a little smarter than your average crook," said Barnes. "He seems to have knowledge of these locks and has only been interested in taking cash."

According to police, the MO has been nearly identical in each crime. The King Coal, UPS and China Buffet locations were investigated in the early daylight hours of Wednesday morning. The El Salto crime scene was not discovered until approximately 6 p.m. Wednesday evening because the suspect gained entry through a side door which is not typically used. Police converged on the Price restaurant Wednesday evening and confirmed that the fourth location matched the thief's MO.

Investigators are currently tracking a single suspect and have made progress on several leads. Citizens with any information concerning these crimes can contact the Price Police at 636-3190.